Vehicle.



PATBN'IED MAY 14, NS?.

R. E. ADAMS.

VEHICLE.

APPLICATION Pimm JULY e, 190e.

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No. 853,614. PATBNTED MAY 14, 190'?. R. E. ADAMS.

VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 6, i968.

2 SHEETS-SHBET 2` h RojE-gm M/(LM Jwz Jaw @Hof/nay ROY E. ADAMS, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA..

vEHioLg.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 14, 1907.

Appunti@ seeing 6.1906'. sayin Nn.- 324,939.

To all whom t may sonnerie:

Beit known that I, Roi' E. ADAMS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indienepolis, in the county nl Marion and State of Indiana, have invented certainV new and useful Improvements in Vehicles, of which the following is a specification. o r

In the operation of road rsding and other similar machines in which dirt is to he shifted transversely, by a longitudinal movement of the vehicle, it is very desirable that one or more of the carrying` wheels lie tilted from the vertical in order to counteract the side draft produced by the dirt moving implement. x

The object of my invention is to produce s simple yet elioient mounting for one or more of t e carrying wheels of s vehicle of tliistype b T means of which the inclination of the wliee s may he readily reversed.

A further object is to provide means by which the tilted wheels may be straightened up to facilita te transportation of the vehicle.

The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention: Y

Figure 1 is e lan of a front axle constructed in accor( ance with my invention, a portion of the superstructure beinr shown 1n vertical section Fig. 2 s vertical section thereof, Fig. 3 is a section at right anglesto Fig. 2; Fig. 4 e plan of a modilieil form; Fig. 5 a detail of means for shifting the axle horizontally; Fig. 6 o section on line 6 6 of Fig. 7 and lsligY 7 a side elevation oi mechanism for rotatin the axle.

In.' F1 1 l0 indicates a superstructure provide with bearings 11 l1 in which is ]ournaled the middle portionof en sode 12. Axle 12 is provided at each end with e Wheel spindle 12 and these Wheel spindles are lient in diametrically o posits directions from the exis of the middle portion i2, and are so positioned relative to the portion 12 that the axis of the portion 12 extendedwill intersect the medial plane of' theV carrying Wheel 13 on the axis of the s indie 12. B this means the shaft 12 will 'e parallel wit i the ground in any position of the eerrying Wheels. y

If no reversal of inclination of'tliecerrying wheels is desired,Y the axle may be fixed in the hearin s axle in its by which it may e given a half rotation, in order to change the inclination of the Wheel spindles relative to the ground, as indicated 11, but I prefer to journal the earin s and provide some means Y in dotted lines in Fi Y. 1. In the form shown in the drawings, the superstructure if)V is pivotally connected to the mainframe i8 and I therefore pass a shaft 16 through the exis of the pivotal connection, providing seid shaft at its upper end with a gear 16 by means yof which it may be turned. Mounted upon the middle portion of the axle 12 is a yoke 17 in which is josrifi'ledeV Worm 18 carried by a shaft 19 connected to the shaft 16 by any suitable means, such as a universal joint 20. The Worm 18 meshes with the Worm gear 21 attached to the axle or shaft.

In order to Vfacilitate the transportation of the vehicle, when it is not being used in grading, it is'desirable to eliminate the inclin'etion oi the Wheels from the vertical end this may he accomplished by givin the shaft 12 s quarter turn, but izvlienY tzliis is done the Wheels will stand at an an le to the Ydirection of travel, as shown in ful lines in Fig. i', and in order to eliminate this lead" the structure 10 may be turned in. a horizontel plane relative to the freine 10', to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. In order to accomplish this result I make the tongue 25 independent of the structure 10 end' pivot said tongue upon the seine iin'- pin 26 upon which t 1e structure 10 is pivote Rotatably mounted upon the tongue 25 is vertical shaft 27 carryings pinion 28 which meshes with a toothed segmeiit carried by the'structure 10 so tlistfhy'otting pinion 2S the relation betweenthe ton e 25 and the structure 1Q :nav be varie so as to bring the Wheels into longitudinal alinement with the vehicle.

In order to hold the tongue in an desired position'reletive to the structure 10 provide a spring paw] 30 which is adapted to engage the pinion 28, and said spring pawl moy be operated by a suitable lever 31.

In operation, the normal position of the Wheels, when the vehicle is in use in grading, is that shown in Fig. 2 where the VWheels are inclined from the vertical. The inclination may be mede more or less by rotating shaft l 2 1n its hearings 1i, but, as the inclination is decreased, the vvheels are given a leedr3A ont of the'li'ne' lof: travel of the vehicle until the Vshathas been given a quarter turn When the wheels have their maxlmm lead end stand vertieelly, as shown in full lines in Fig. Il inclination of the wheels from the vertical isdesired in the opposite direction the shaft 12 will be continued in its rotation another IOS IIO

quarter turn. The lead for any desired inclination will be eliminated by proper adjustment ol' the tongue. In Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive a different method is shown for bringing the wheels into alinement with the line of travel. In the form shown in these figures the shaft 40 is of the same construction ras shaft 12, but it is supported in the frame 41 in longitudinal slideways 42 formed in the frame 41. The shaft 40 carries a worin-gear 43 which meshes with a worm 44 journaled in a bracket 45 on the frame 4l Pivoted upon the shaft of worm 44 is a bracket 46 in which the shaft 4() is journaled, said. bracket forming a pivotal support by means of which the shaft 4() may be revolved around the axis of worm 44. Sleeved on shaft 4() is a boxing 47 which is connected to a sliding head 48 by a vertical pivot 48. Head 4S is mounted to slide in one of the guideways by means of a shifting lever 49 which is connected to the head 48 by a link 50. In this form, in order to bring the wheels into alinement with the line of travel of the vehicle, the shifting lever 49 is used to shift the head 4S and thus swing the shaft 40 bodily around the axis of worm 44. In this form, as well as the form shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the wheels may he given any inclination from the vertical and the lead away from the line of travel be easily elimi nated by proper adjustment of the shaft 40 about its own axis and about the axis at right angles thereto, '1'. e., either the axis of the worm 44 or the axis of the king-pin.

I claim ns my invention:

l. rl.`he eombinatioi'i, in a vehicle, of a main frame, an axle carrying the same, said axle having a pair of diametrically oppositclyinclined wheel spindles, carrying wheels journaled thereon, and means for holding said shaft in difl'erent positions of rotative adjustment.

2. In a vehicle, the combination, of a main frame, a shal't journaled thereon and provided with a wheel spindle inclined from the axis thereof, a carrying wheel journaled on the spindle, and means for holding said shaft in different positions of rotative ad`ustment.

3. The combination, in a vehice, of the main frame, an axle provided at opposite ends with diametrically oppositely-inclined wheel spindles, the axes of which intersect the extended axis of the middle portion of the shaft substantially in the wheel planes, and carrying wheels journaled thereon.

4. The combination, in a vehicle, of a main frame, an axle journaled therein and provided at its opposite ends with diametrically oppositely-inclined wheel spindles, the axes of which intersect the extended axis of the middle portion of the shaft substantiallyr in the Wheel lanes, and means for holding said axle in di erent positions of rotative adjustment.

5. The combination, in a vehicle, of a main frame, an me ,ce the ne, said axle having a pair of Eliametica y 'oppos'rtely inclined wheel spindles, carrying wheels jour* nalcd thereon, and means for rotating said axle and holding the same in diilerent positions of rotative adjustment.

6. In a vehicle, the combination, of a main frame, a shaft journaled thereon and provided with a wheel spindle inclined from the axis thereof, a carrying Wheel journaled on the spindle, and means for rotating said axle and holdingr the same in different positions of rotative adjustment.

7. The combination, in a vehicle, of a main frame, an axle journaled therein and provided at its opposite ends with diametrically oppositely-inchned wheel spindles, the axes of which intersect the extended axis of the middle portion of the shaft substantially in the wheel planes, and means for rotatingr said axle and holding the same in different positions of rotative adjustment.

S. In a vehicle, the combination, of a main frame, a shaft journaled thereon and provided with a wheel spindle inclined from the axis thereof, a carrying Wheel journaled on the spindle, means for holding said shaft in different positions of rotative adjustment, and means for shifting the'axle in its own plane to bring the wheel into alinement with the line of travel.

9. The combination, in a vehicle, of the main frame, an axle journaled thereon and provided at opposite ends with diametrically oppositely-inclined wheel spindles, carrying wheels journaled thereon, means for holding said axle in different positions of' rotative adjustment, and means for shifting the axle in its own plane to bring the wheels into alineme'nt with the line of travel.

10. The combination, inavehicle, of amain frame, an axle journaled therein and provided at its opposite ends with diametrically oppositely-inclined Wheel spindles, the axes of which intersect the extended axis of the middle portion of the shaft substantially in the wheel planes, means for holdin said axle in different positions of rotative a justment, and means for shifting the axle in its own plane to bring the wheels into alinement with the line of travel.

11. In a vehicle, the combination, of a main frame, a shaft journaled thereon and provided with a wheel spindle inclined from the axis thereof, a carrying wheel journaled on the s indle, means for rotating said axle and holdlin r the same in different positions of rotative a justment, and means for shifting the axle in its own plane to bring the Wheels into alinement with the line of travel.

12. The combination, in a vehicle, of the main frame, an axle journaled thereon and provided at opposite ends with diametrically oppositely-inchned wheel spindles, carrying wheels journaled thereon, means for rotating IOO IIC

IIS

seid axle end holding the seme in different positions of rotative adjustment, and means for shifting the axle in its own plane to brin(r the wheels into alineinent with the line o travel.

13. The oombinetion, in a vehicle, of u main frame, en axle journaled therein and provided at 'its opposite ends with dinnietrioelly oppositely-inelined wheel s indles, the axes of' which interseot the exten(Y Ved exis of the middle portion of the shaft snbstsntielly in the wheel lanes, ineens for rotating seid axle and hol ing the same in different positions of rotative adjustment, and means for shifting the axle in its own piene to bring the Wheels into nlinement with the line of travel.

14. 'The combination, in n vehiele, of' n. mein frame, a wheel-carrying structure pivotell)v oonneetod therewith on a substantial@Y Vertical exis, e tongue also pivotallvv oonneeted to the mein freine, means for holding seid tongue in various positions of angular adjustment relative to said pivoted frame, s shaft journnled in said pivoted freine and provided nt its opposite ends with diametrioelljf1 oppositely'inelined wheel spindles,V the axes of which intersect the extended exis of the middle portion of the shaft substantially in the Wheel planesl wheels jonrneled on said spindles, end means for rotating seid shaft sind holding the seme in different positions of angular adjustment.

15. The combination, in :L vehicle of n mein frame, n, wheel-carrying structure pivotally connected therewith on e Vsubstrintially vertical axis, a, tongue, means for holding seid tongue in various positions of angular adjustment relative to said pivoted frame, n sheft journaled in said pivoted frame and provided et its opposite ends with diametrieelly oppositely-inolined wheel spindles, the axes of which intersect the extended axis oi the middle ortion of the shaft substantially in the wheeljplanes, wheels journalod on'ssid spindles, and means for rotating seid shaft and holding the seme in different positions of angular adjustment. Y

1G. The combination, in a. vehicle, of a. mein frame, s. wheel-carrying structure piv otalliv connected therewith on e substan tinlly vertical exis, a tongue, means for holdingY said tongue in various positions of en guiar adjustment relative to said pivoted freine, a. shai' t journsled in said pivoted frame and provided et its opposite ends with dief nietriealhvv oppositely-inolined VWheel s indles, wheels journaled on said s indles, en means for rotating said shaft an holding the same in different positions of angular adjustment.

In witness whereof, I, have hereunto set my hand and seal at Indianapolis, Indians., this 28th dey of June, A. D. one thousand nine hundred :1nd six. y

ROY E, BAMS. lL. s.) Witnesses:

THOMAS W. MGMEANS, ARTHUR M. HooD. 

